So again nothing really of note to mention today in any of the major leagues so I thought to fill a quiet day up I will do a preview of an NHL team. I will do this now until the regular season starts in October when we have quiet spells so at least you can look forward to what’s ahead for the teams in the NHL. Today we will start with the Pittsburgh Penguins my favourite team since I was 14 and I saw Mario Lemeiux.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Last season wasn’t a great one for the Pens they stuttered through the regular season and then got blown away by the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. As much as I was gutted for this happening I wasn’t surprised it happened in a way as they had won the Stanley Cup back to back previously before the Caps took the last one plus they had a few changes within the team so fatigue and a team not gelling well mainly defensively this was bound to happen. So the management knew changes were needed for this coming season and they have made some big ones too.
They have traded the following players away :
- Phil Kessel – Arizona Coyotes
- Oli Maatta – Chicago Blackhawks
Then signed the following players:
- Brandon Tanev – Winnipeg Jets
- Alex Galchenyuk – Arizona Coyotes
- Dominik Kahun – Chicago Blackhawks
There are other players that have moved on or released one notable being Matt Cullen who has gone into a player development role.
The above new additions will hopefully fit in nicely to the team and brings more speed and youth within the team. I’m looking forward to both Galchenyuk and Tanev playing on their lines and I really do think Galchenyuk will improve massively with the Pens on a line with either Malkin or Crosby so exciting times ahead. It’s the defense I am more worried about as that was their biggest problem last season. Giving away too many soft goals and Matt Murray having to work hard. The Pens have always been able to score but when they play bad and don’t get the goals defensively they let themselves down. Let’s hope they can get back to winning ways and have a good run for the Stanley Cup and get the Pens back where they belong.
Let us know what you think of The Pens chances next season and what you think they need or are missing and put your comments below. Have a nice Friday everyone 🙂
HockeyMan66 